Would you expect anything less than a star-studded lineup in Tinseltown? That’s what we have with 14 of the top-20 ranked players in the world teeing it up this week at the Genesis Open, hosted by the iconic Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. Much like last week, the elements will be a factor with rain in the forecast. That didn’t prevent Phil Mickelson from taking home his record-tying fifth Pebble Beach title. Lefty and the rest of the field make the short trip south with the PGA Tour wrapping up its West Coast swing. Tiger Woods will get plenty of attention as he goes for his first win at Riviera, but Dustin Johnson, who won the event two years ago, is the betting favorite with odds of +853 at BookMaker.eu. Below is a list of the matchup odds.
Genesis Open Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
Marc Leishman -111 vs. Adam Scott -119
Jason Kokrak -101 vs. Tyrrell Hatton -129
Tony Finau -146 vs. Matt Kuchar +116
Michael Thompson -117 vs. Aaron Wise -113
Paul Casey -121 vs. Patrick Cantlay -109
Luke List -126 vs. Kevin Na -104
Si Woo Kim -119 vs. Martin Laird -111
Adam Hadwin -120 vs. Branden Grace -110
Abraham Ancer -124 vs. Sung Kang -106
Jordan Spieth -109 vs. Hideki Matsuyama -121
Andrew Putnam -127 vs. Sungjae Im -103
Tiger Woods +120 vs. Phil Mickelson -150
Chez Reavie -118 vs. Scott Stallings -112
Tommy Fleetwood -144 vs. Cameron Smith +114
Cameron Champ -124 vs. Keegan Bradley -106
Jon Rahm -182 vs. Bubba Watson +142
Xander Schauffele -124 vs. Tiger Woods -106
Sergio Garcia -126 vs. Louis Oosthuizen -104
Dustin Johnson -155 vs. Justin Thomas +124
Justin Thomas -120 vs. Rory McIlroy -110
Charles Howell III -125 vs. Rafael Cabrera Bello -105
Xander Schauffele +102 vs. Phil Mickelson -132
Dustin Johnson -164 vs. Rory McIlroy +131
Bryson DeChambeau -152 vs. Bubba Watson +121
Jon Rahm -137 vs. Bryson DeChambeau +107
Need to Know
Rain is expected for parts of the tournament and that will make the kikuyu rough and fairways even more difficult. The grass tends to swallow golf balls when it’s dry, add in some moisture and there is little to no run on tee blasts. Players who can carry their drives will fare much better, but accuracy is needed with the narrow fairways. With six par-4 holes that play over 455 yards and a pair of 580-plus yard par-5s the driver will be the weapon of choice for the field. There are no water hazards, but there are plenty of bunkers guarding the greens and thick rough that provide plenty of obstacles. Playing a conservative game will get you to the weekend, but probably not to the podium.
Genesis Open Matchup Picks
Tiger Woods +120 vs. Phil Mickelson
Getting the chance to see these two greats compete in the same tournament is a treat that will come to an end soon, so we better enjoy it. And picking a matchup winner is difficult. Sure, Mickelson is coming off his record-tying win at Pebble Beach last week, but he had to stick around an extra day to finish it off. That can’t be good on his aging body. Tiger is rested but Riviera is the only course on the Tour that’s been able to tame the Big Cat. In 11 starts he’s failed to claim a victory. Is he motivated enough to cross this layout off his bucket list? Tiger’s distance decline off the tee isn’t going to help and I wonder if he would even play here if not for his foundation. I have to lean toward Lefty in this matchup, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Tiger makes a run.
Rory McIlroy -110 vs. Justin Thomas
JT is in good form coming in with three top-5s in his six Tour starts this season. He grabbed a solo third in Phoenix and at the Sentry TOC with a T5 at the CIMB Classic in October. But it looks as though McIlroy is starting to get his game together, finally. His focus on the PGA Tour has started to take hold. He didn’t win either of his last two starts, but placing among the top-5 in both at courses he had never played is a sign that maybe it’s coming together. He’s played here twice finishing 20th in both 2016 and 2018, and I like his chances.
Bubba Watson +121 vs. Bryson DeChambeau
If course form wins a tournament then we better bet the house on Bubba. He won this thing three of the last five times, taking the title in each of the last three even-numbered years. The odd years haven’t been so good, but you can’t make a wager based on numerology. Recent form has been good as well with a T4 two weeks ago at the Phoenix Open. Oh, and along with his three wins, Bubba also has another four top-20s here.
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu. The Genesis Open is scheduled for February 14-17 and can be seen on Golf Channel and CBS.
